Jam Miller and Ty Simpson came to Alabama as part of the same recruiting class in 2022, but have had drastically different paths to this point. While Simpson redshirted in 2022, and then spent 2023 and 2024 as the primary backup to Jalen Milroe, Miller carved out a role immediately, albeit in a reserve setting, in his first two seasons.
Last year, Miller became the starting running back for Alabama and led the RBs in rushing with 668 yards and seven touchdowns.
Now, the two will start together in the backfield as they hope to get the Crimson Tide back to the top of the college football world in Kalen DeBoer's second season as the head coach.
Simpson was named the starting QB on Monday. He gets his chance after waiting patiently for three seasons. According to Miller, Simpson's ability might end up being shocking to fans who have lower expectations for the redshirt junior QB.
"The way he moves, steps out of the pocket, and just makes incredible throws," Miller said about Simpson. " It's gonna be real shocking to the fans."
Ty Simpson's mobility continues to get overlooked
Ty Simpson is much better on the run than many outside of Tuscaloosa realize. He's not Jalen Milroe as a runner - no one really is - but he's a dual-threat quarterback in every sense of the word. He has three career rushing touchdowns and broke a 78-yard run as a redshirt freshman during the 2023 season.
It's not a coincidence that Miller and OC Ryan Grubb both mentioned his ability to throw the ball on the run when praising the Crimson Tide's new starting QB.
"His ability to command and create out of the pocket, I thought, was the best," Grubb said about Simpson.
Simpson has done an excellent job taking care of the football during fall camp. According to Grubb, Simpson has only thrown one interception in camp so far. He didn't throw any during Alabama's first scrimmage last Saturday.
And he's more than just a game manager. He's going to get the ball into the hands of Alabama's plethora of playmakers. He's often going to do that quickly because that's what the DeBoer/Grubb offense calls for. But the true magic of Simpson may just be his ability to create with his legs, both by running the football and by extending plays and making throws out of the pocket that create explosives for the offense.